• Foo Fighters: Echos, Silence, Patience & Grace – A really good album that is good from start to finish. I find myself listening to it often on the way to/from work, as it is a great cruising in the car album. I think it is their most complete album in the 21st century so far.
  DRM Free: CD
• Thrice: The Alchemy Index Vols. I & II Fire & Water – I have a weak spot for concept albums, especially those done really well. Few bands can pull off what Thrice has done here…going from straight out balls to the wall hardcore punk for 6 songs then to some type of watery electronica-type sound for the next 6 songs. Fantastic album.
  DRM Free: Amazon MP3 Store
• Jimmy Eat World: Chase This Light – I have only listened to this album once, but it is classic Jimmy Eat World and I cannot recommend it enough. Better then their last album for sure.
  DRM Free: Amazon MP3 Store

A few cool things:

• It appears that there is a healthy dose of EMI, Universal, and indie albums.
• Most songs are $0.99 apiece (with the top 100 songs $0.89 apiece).
• Most albums are $9.99 apiece (with top 100 albums $8.99 apiece)
• All files are 256kbps MP3 VBR files and DRM-free
• Amazon uses special software called MP3 Downloader that allows you to download songs and have them automatically added to your media player. Even works on Macs and a Linux version is being developed.

So far, I have bought 2 songs and it has worked flawlessly. Very good execution. I hope iTunes reduces the prices of iTunes Plus to compete (isn’t competition grand?).